Lugano was out favorite. Having. Very good weather there helped. While our choice to travel by train, we took on an itinerary requiring we do so every other day plus a couple of other touristic/panoramic trains. In retrospect, would spend a bit more time in each of fewer places. Would also strongly consider going to less commonly visited sites. Even slightly past peak season, the big ones like Jungfrauloch, the Gornegrat, crowded.
Switzerland is gorgeous, especially the mountains,...
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Lugano was out favorite. Having. Very good weather there helped. While our choice to travel by train, we took on an itinerary requiring we do so every other day plus a couple of other touristic/panoramic trains. In retrospect, would spend a bit more time in each of fewer places. Would also strongly consider going to less commonly visited sites. Even slightly past peak season, the big ones like Jungfrauloch, the Gornegrat, crowded.
Switzerland is gorgeous, especially the mountains, valleys and lakes. Food is ridiculously expensive and most often not great. A few standouts: Der Werkstadt and Einhor n (pizza) in Lucerne, Taverne in Interlaken and Marlo (also pizza, pasta) in Zermatt. Zunfthaus Zur Waag in Zurich was very good for traditional Swiss.
Hotels: Villa Principe Leopoldo in Lugano excellent, but is up a hill requiring walking down, taking a car up or car both ways. Skip the restaurant there. Victoria Jungfrau in Interlaken also very good incl changing our room due to noise from adjoing property (a Hooters and a Casino). Huge spa there we didn't take advantage of. Wellenberg in Zurich ok, but has portable, noisy a/c units. 22 Summits in Zermatt, small, modern but also no a/c. Very nice sauna there but only open 4-9? Art Deco Montana in Lucerne also very nice and has its own funicular (also up a hill).
Unfortunately, we had cloudy days both at Jungfrauloch and Gornegrat limiting views from top. The small towns there, Grindewald and Lauterbrunnen, cute enough but also touristy. With a deeper dive, maybe a car, would try to find smaller towns that arent on everyone's list.
Hotel Reviews
22 Summit Boutique Hotel
Zermatt
Lime the room design, otherwise just ok. Staff friendliness varied. Also no a/c despite being a newer build. Had to sleep with window/door open. Would go for a higher floor, a room ending in 02 or 03 on Matterhorn side
Has saunas and small outdoor whirlpool. But not open until 4 pm..d then only until 9. Breakfast here was the least elaborate.
Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
Interlaken
At first booked a Spa room. Huge. Modern decor. But no a/c. Also a long walk from main part of hotel. Then there was loud music from next door. They accommodated a room switch to first floor front of main building. Much better. Though older, had central a/c and a view across park to mountains.
Art Deco Hotel Montana
Luzern
Had great views, room with a whirlpool on balcony. Has own funicular as also on hill.
Villa Principe Leopoldo
Lugano
Beautiful view, very large room. Best we stayed in during trip. Only issues are that it's up a big hill from town so going out, coming back takes time. Car back up at least.
The one star Michelin restaurant there was bad. They emphasized things like table side prep of beef tartare (which we didn't order), slat baked fish for two....portions small and nothing tasted especially good. One fish dish was overwhelmingly funky.
Boutique Hotel Wellenberg
Zurich
Good location. We stayed there first and last night. Had 508 first night. Small "family" room meaning a bed and pull out couch. 408 last night, much bigger.
Authenticity & Character
Real central a/c.
Location
Easy to get to things, most no more than 20 min walk
Activity Reviews
Gornergrat panoramic train (return day-ticket & Priority boarding)
Switzerland
Some very nice views going up and back. Unfortunately, again, we had a cloudy, rainy day, obscuring views at top
Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe (tickets and seat reservation)
Switzerland
Bad weather made the rides up and down the best part as there was no view at all from top. Very touristy at top--exit through the gift shop type place. Went to Lauterbrunnen on way down. Could be cute but the one main street is mostly tourist-oriented shops
Cruise on Lake Thun: from Interlaken to Thun (& return by train)
Interlaken
Very crowded. Hard to get a place to sit. 2hrs+ with maybe 10 stops between Interlaken and Thun. Thun not that special. Good view from castle/church.
Free time in the charming Mürren
Switzerland
We didn't get to Murren. Took 2 hrs to get to Thun (skip), not enoufh time left to then also go to Murren. Would take cable car from midway up Jungfrau if you want to go
Self-guided day to Mount Rigi, the Queen of Mountains
Switzerland
Mountain itself would be 4 starts. Getting there takes a 1+ hr ferry ride which was very crowded.
Lucerne Private Guided Walking Tour
Lucerne
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Walking Tour - History & Mystery of Zurich
Zürich
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Swiss Travel Pass
Switzerland
Essential if using train system. Can be confusing as for some things like the panoramic trains to Gornegrat and Jungfrauloch you need a separate tickets and another for a reservation. One had assigned seats, one didn't. Trains were fairly crowded. Always able to get a seat but not always easy. This pass also works for ferry boats.
Quality of Experience
Better than US trains by far
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Had two short tours, one in Zurich and one in Lucerne. Both very nice.but not essential
Transport
Drivers used for certain transfers, all on time, nice cars
Local specialist: Natalia Lagosz
